The #RedrawTheBalance campaign revealed that when asked to draw common occupations, children were far more likely to draw men than women, with 61 drawings of male firefighters, surgeons, and pilots compared to only 5 women. Research also found that girls are more likely than boys to prioritize university education early in their teenage years. Barnsley Council plans to shorten summer holidays to five weeks and add an extra week in autumn, aimed at helping families afford holidays and avoid term-time leave fines. A survey showed a decline in the proportion of Scottish P4 students performing well in numeracy. Adults aged 55-64 were found to favor vocational education over university compared to those aged 18-24. The outgoing UCU President

1. The Education & Employers Taskforce and Inspiring the Future
launched the #RedrawTheBalance campaign with a new film
revealing the reality of gender stereotyping among primary school
children. When asked to draw a firefighter, surgeon and a fighter
pilot, 61 pictures were drawn of men and only five of women.
The Sutton Trust released research revealing that, even at the
start of their teenage years, girls are more likely to prioritise going
to university than boys.
Barnsley Council announced plans to become first area to
shorten the summer holidays to five weeks, with an extra week
off in the autumn. The plan is designed to help parents arrange
affordable family holidays and avoid fines for term-time leave.
The Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy showed a fall in
the proportion of P4 pupils in Scotland (equivalent age to half way
through primary school) performing very well in numeracy.
A survey of over 2,000 adults conducted by the Association of
Accounting Technicians found that 55-64 year olds are more
likely to favour vocational education as a preferred route to
employment than 18-24 year olds.
Elizabeth Lawrence, outgoing UCU President, spoke at their
conference, expressing concern at the lack of political awareness
of FE. She said politicians ‘do not appreciate how varied is the
contribution of the FE to the rest of society’.
UCU General Secretary Sally Hunt warned that area-based
reviews represent a ‘leap in the dark’ for the FE sector. She said
they threaten the financial security of numerous FE colleges.
The Scottish Government announced a review of the roles of
Skills Development Scotland, the Scottish Funding Council and
Scottish Enterprise.
Future Finance found that less than half of students are confident
their university degree will lead to a graduate level job and
therefore enable them to repay student debt.
TES released its University Financial Health Check 2016, finding
that universities are increasingly having to compete for students.
Total university income stood at £33.1bn in last year, up from
£30.7bn in 2013-14.
Centre for Cities published a report on the productivity of the
Northern Powerhouse, finding that only three cities in the region
(York, Warrington and Leeds) are in the UK top 20 for numbers of
residents educated to degree level.
The Government announced 12 Regius Professorships would be
awarded to UK universities to mark Queen’s 90th birthday.
7th
June 2016